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Over the years, the European Cartoon Center has gathered an enormous collection of cartoon books and original cartoons. The collection includes more than 20,000 original cartoons and caricatures and about 6,000 cartoon books, magazines, and reference works.

IMG 2239 Ecc graphic

Gustaaf van Damme Library

The ‘Gustaaf Van Damme’ library of the ECC consists of more than 6000 cartoon books (only cartoons, no comics), 400 magazines about cartoons and satire, and theses, publications, and reference works on cartoons and caricatures.

The library is freely accessible during the ECC's opening hours. Some of these books are so unique that unfortunately, we cannot lend them out.  The library was named after the Ghent industrialist Gustaaf Van Damme, who was a passionate collector of cartoon books. After his death, his family donated the entire collection of cartoon books. Along with the books already owned by the Euro-kartoenale, this donation formed the basic collection at the opening of the ECC in 2007.

Center of Expertise

We are happy to share the expertise of the passionate ECC team with others. Our staff is often asked to be part of international cartoon competitions, and we are happy to assist in organizing cartoon competitions and exhibitions.

Are you looking for a cartoonist or caricaturist for your corporate event or communication campaign? We are happy to help you find the right person. The ECC only takes on the role of intermediary; contractual agreements are made with the cartoonist themselves.

Donations of books and cartoons/caricatures 

Our collection of original cartoons, documentation, and cartoon books has been built up over the years and has been greatly expanded by several important donations from cartoon book collectors and cartoonists.

Among the notable donations are the cartoon book collections of Ronald Libin, Gustaaf Van Damme, Mrs. Gobert, the Library of Knokke-Heist, Peter Nieuwendijk, Ab Molenaar, Dr. Jean-Marie Bertin, Helmut Weber, Philippe Bossens, Rudy Thijs, Legnickie Centrum Kultury, Luc De Scheemaeker, and Bob Vincke.

The families of Jan Van der Aa (PUNT) and Chris Joole donated the complete collection of cartoons from the legacies of both cartoonists. Former Prime Minister Jean-Luc De Haene donated a valuable collection of original caricatures during his move. There were also donations from the Ton Smit House and Bob Vincke.

Feel free to contact us if you are considering a donation. Before accepting a donation, we will check whether the item fits into our acquisition policy.

 

Get involved

Practicial information

  • Opening hours

    Every Sunday from 10-12 and 14-17 you can visit the ECC as an individual with free entrance

    Winterbreak: the European Cartoon Center is closed between the 22nd of December till the 22nd of January.

  • Fee

    As we want to promote cartoons as an art form to the general public and find it important that everyone has the possibility to see cartoons, you can visit the ECC on Sunday by the 'Pay what you wish'-principal. You decide what your visit to the exhibition is worth and according your own budget. This way of working is only possible because the European Cartoon Center is a non-profit organization that operates 100% on volunteers.

    Keep in mind that your voluntary contribution makes it possible to make cartoon art accessible to all. 

    For groups there are different paid formulas: 

    • Formula A: 5 euro per person (with a minimum of 50 euro) admission and introduction
    • Formula B: 8 euro per person (with a minimum of 80 euro) admission, introduction and a free drink of your choice

     

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